Pluristem's PLX Cells Found to Be Effective in Treating Neuropathic and Inflammatory Pain

HAIFA, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 9, 2010 -
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: PSTI) (DAX: PJT) today
announced the results of two separate pre-clinical studies in
animal models which demonstrated that its PLacental eXpanded (PLX)
cell therapy may be an effective treatment for both neuropathic and
inflammatory nerve pain. These animal studies were conducted in
collaboration with the Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative
Therapies (BCRT) and the
Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care
Medicine, both at the Charité-Universitätsmedizin
of Berlin, Germany.

The animal models included those with neuropathic pain induced
by ligation of the Sciatic nerve and those with inflammatory pain
induced by the injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant into the
animal's footpads. Following the administration of PLX cells, the
sensitivity to thermal and mechanical stimuli was dramatically
reduced in both models with the reduction in pain correlated with
the number of injected PLX cells in a dose dependent manner.

Hans-Dieter Volk, Ph.D., professor of immunology and chair of
the Institute of Medical Immunology Charité -
Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Berlin-Brandenburg Center for
Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) stated, “We initiated this
study at Prof. Stein´s research unit (Dept. Anesthesiology)
based on research indicating that the pathophysiology surrounding
neuropathic pain involves inflammation and ischemia of the affected
nerves and data from Pluristem showing that the mechanism of action
of PLX cells involves secretion of anti-inflammatory and angiogenic
cytokines that promote new vessel formation (angiogenesis) into the
injured tissue.”

“These findings demonstrate again that the therapeutic
effect of Pluristem's PLX cells is achieved through the release of
cytokines that act on local, or perhaps distant, target tissues.
Rather than serving as stem cells to repair tissues, they serve as
cellular factories that secrete mediators to stimulate the repair
of tissues or other beneficial effects,” said Dr. Edwin
Horwitz, Chairman of Pluristem's Scientific Advisory Board and
President of the International Society for Cellular Therapy. These
findings, in addition to previous Pluristem publications, position
PLX cells as a promising candidate for a variety of clinical
indications.

Zami Aberman, Chairman and CEO of Pluristem, added, “These
results provide evidence of our PLX cells being potentially
effective for treating neuropathic pain arising from a variety of
reasons, such as diabetes and chemotherapy. We look forward to
moving with these findings into a clinical study, supported by a
partner that will help Pluristem pursue commercialization of its
PLX cells for this indication.”

About Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is a
chronic pain state that is usually accompanied by tissue
injury. With neuropathic pain, the nerve fibers themselves may be
damaged, dysfunctional or injured. Common causes of neuropathic
pain include diabetes, alcoholism, chemotherapy and infections such
as herpes zoster (shingles). There is no standard of care for
neuropathic pain with a multitude of agents ranging from analgesics
to antidepressants and anticonvulsants used to treat the disorder.
Industry analysts have predicted the neuropathic pain market to
approach $5.5B by 20151.

About the Berlin Bradenburg Center for Regenerative
Therapies

The Berlin Bradenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, a
translational center of the Charité -
Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Helmholtz Foundation has
developed an internationally visible center of excellence in
regenerative medicine with a focus on endogeneous regeneration
through the application of cells, biological factors, biomaterials,
or combinations. The Center strives to translate basic science
discoveries into regenerative therapies and share scientific
knowledge generated in the field of regenerative medicine with
researchers, clinicians, and the public through educational
activities, training, publications, and communication forums at the
national and international level.

About Pluristem

Pluristem is a clinical stage biotechnology company with
proprietary technology for the development and manufacturing of
standardized cell therapies derived from the human placenta.
Pluristem's patented and scalable PLX (PLacental eXpanded) cell
product candidates are developed as readily available for the
treatment of critical limb ischemia (CLI) and other diseases.

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SafeHarborStatement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and federal securities
laws. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we
say that the findings of the two separate pre-clinical studies in
animal models, in addition to previous Pluristem publications,
position PLX cells as a promising candidate for a variety of
clinical indications or that these results provide evidence of our
PLX cells being potentially effective for treating neuropathic pain
arising from a variety of reasons, such as diabetes and
chemotherapy or that we look forward to moving with these findings
into a clinical study, supported by a partner that will help
Pluristem pursue commercialization of its PLX cells for this
indication . These forward-looking statements are based on the
current expectations of the management of Pluristem only, and are
subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those described in the
forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others,
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements: changes in technology
and market requirements; we may encounter delays or obstacles in
launching our clinical trials; our technology may not be validated
as we progress further and our methods may not be accepted by the
scientific community; we may be unable to retain or attract key
employees whose knowledge is essential to the development of our
products; unforeseen scientific difficulties may develop with our
process; our products may wind up being more expensive than we
anticipate; results in the laboratory may not translate to equally
good results in real surgical settings; our patents may not be
sufficient; our products may harm recipients; changes in
legislation; inability to timely develop and introduce new
technologies, products and applications; loss of market share and
pressure on pricing resulting from competition, which could cause
the actual results or performance of Pluristem to differ materially
from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Except
as otherwise required by law, Pluristem undertakes no obligation to
publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements
to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For a more detailed
description of the risks and uncertainties affecting Pluristem,
reference is made to Pluristem's reports filed from time to time
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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www.pluristem.com, the content of which is not part of this
press release.

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